2nd Month of 286 A.C Harlaw

Lord Benjen Stark

He was going to be Lord of Cerwyn, Jonella had sent word to him before he had left, her father was ailing, was soon to be dying. That mean that he would need to take on the responsibilities for the construction of the canal, and he was not sure what to make of that or anything else for that matter. Everything had been happening so quickly, so very quickly, gods it was strange to think that one moment he had been considering going off to the wall and now here he was about to become the Lord of Cerwyn and being trusted on going on a mission to Harlaw. He felt honoured that Ned felt secure enough to trust him with something such as this, truly he did. And if he was being honest, he felt as if he was ready for it, he wanted to see if he could be a good talker, and a help for Ned, in their quest to gain revenge against Baratheon. Truly he hoped that there could be some chance of gaining more aid, he hoped as such, and therefore was somewhat nervous as he looks at Lord Harlaw who sits before him assessing him with intrigued eyes.

"My Lord of Harlaw, I thank you for agreeing to meet with me, I know that this might appear somewhat sudden, but I promise you it will be worth your while in the long term. The offer my brother, Lord Eddard has for you is one that I think you will approve of." Benjen begins.

Lord Harlaw, a serious man looks at him intrigued. "And what makes you say that. I have had a look at this offer your brother sent with you, and there are things there that are certainly interesting, but what I want to know is why has he gone for me and not Balon?"

Benjen hesitates a moment, unsure of how to answer that question, after all Harlaw is brothers by marriage with the Lord of Pyke. He takes a moment and then responds. "You are known for being a reasonable man, you are known for wanting to further relations with the mainland. My brother, Lord Eddard feels that you would make for a good partner in these endeavours."

Harlaw laughs then. "And he has heard of Balon's supposed beliefs is that what this is? I am surprised though, such a thing one would think was not in his interests, considering the loyalties your brother has."

Benjen hesitates then. "Loyalties?" he asks.

The man's eyes narrow. "To King Robert. Your brother won Baratheon the throne, it would not make sense for him to go seeking allies within the islands, for we did not provoke any hostilities during the war, and yet there might be another reason for this." the man pauses then and then after a moment asks. "Is your brother thinking of replacing Greyjoy with Harlaw?"

Benjen almost breathes an audible sigh of relief that Harlaw went with that tact, and not what he thought he was going to say. "What makes you think that that is the course my brother is thinking of approaching?"

Harlaw looks at him then, his gaze somewhat sharp. "We are the most powerful house within the islands. Far more powerful than House Greyjoy, and we command the most powerful houses within the islands. For many years the Greyjoys had to pay off my forebearers to prevent them from rebelling, and then the marriage between Balon and my sister ensured my father's and my loyalties. But, Balon has not shown sense in the years he has been in power."

"What decisions has Balon Greyjoy been making that you do not agree with my lord?" Benjen asks, surprised at himself for the boldness with which he asks the question. "If you do not mind telling me of course." he hastens to add.

Harlaw laughs then. "I do not mind. Greyjoy knows of my discomfort with what he is planning. The building of a war fleet, when the time for war has passed. The dispatching of septons and septas from the isles. The slaughtering of maesters as well, he is trying to throw us into an age of dark. Something his father tried so hard to prevent. It seems as though he is growing more and more rash as the methods are met with approval."

"You are worried that he might bring ruin to the islands?" Benjen asks.

Harlaw laughs. "I know he will bring ruin to the islands. Quellon Greyjoy was a great man, but he failed to raise his sons to be anything but mad men or puppets for others. Balon is a fool who believes the old age was the best, and in his desire to seek them once more he shall throw us into darkness. Euron is mad, has always been mad, but there is some sense within him. Victarion is but a soldier he does not do anything Balon does not tell him to do. Aeron is a drunkard. But there is some hope within him. I do not know where the brothers will take the islands, but wherever they go, I do not think it will be good."

Benjen considers this then. "And is that why you agreed to meet with me? Are you hoping that my brother is going to offer you some freedom from that burden?"

"If you can call watching the islands tear themselves in two a burden then yes, I am willing to listen to what your brother has to say. So tell me, what are the finer points of this offer?" Harlaw asks.

Benjen looks at the man and then asks. "Define what you mean by finer points."

Harlaw smirks then. "I know all about the part of the profit that I could get through the trade through the canal, and the better rates for the goods we would be selling. What I want to know is what the cut is that your brother will be taking, and what he plans on doing about other islands lords."

Benjen thinks over this then, straining his memory to think over what Ned had said to him and how it had been explained. Eventually he responds. "As you know my brother has promised you some four percent of the profit from the overall profits from the venture. He knows just how valuable you are to this business succeeding. As to the cut he takes from the island trade, it will be around six percent of overall profits. As to the other island lords if you would mind elaborating."

Harlaw looks at him, his expression serious. "Drumm, Goodbrother, Botley are they being included in this dealing? Or are they remaining silent, and if so, how does your brother expect to keep them quiet?"

Benjen considers the question and then responds. "Drumm has not been considered, for they are too close to Greyjoy, as for Botley, they are not the main concern of the islands, surely you can see that as well. As for Goodbrother, well they are a powerful house, and yet there are so many members of that family, that we were hoping you knew of the ways to divide them."

Benjen gives Harlaw his best smile, and the man laughs then. "Ah, I see, so there is one more role you wish for me to play in this little game of ours then. And what is it that I would gain from doing this?"

At this Benjen hesitates. "We would of course give you preferential treatment regarding the payment of fee, and the usage of the canal. Furthermore, we would not prohibit the shipping of other materials into the trade area." he leaves the implied suggestions there, unsaid, and he sees from how Harlaw responds that the man has caught on to his meaning.

"Very interesting, and if I were to ask for a raise in the profit I received?" Harlaw asks.

At this, Benjen hesitates, unsure of how to respond. He tries to hide his uncertainty, and he is not sure how successful he is at doing this considering Harlaw's own expression is unreadable. Eventually, he replies. "I believe that I would need to speak to my brother on that matter. But should things look good from the initial point of trade, I do not think he would object."

Harlaw laughs then. "Another way of saying you do not know, or are saying no politely then?"

Benjen looks at him uncertain of what he means. "I am merely giving you my thoughts on the matter my lord. I cannot speak for my brother, therefore I try not to do so."

Harlaw looks mildly impressed then. "Very well, so we have discussed the treaty, or rather the finer points of it. Now let us discuss the actual thing itself. I believe all is in order, yet there is one thing that I am not sure on."

Benjen looks at the man and asks. "This thing would not happen to be the requirement that a note of homage be given for access?"

Harlaw nods. "Indeed it would. The note of homage, is it necessary, and if so, who am I giving homage to? To Winterfell, to the iron throne, to someone in Lys?"

Benjen stiffens slightly at that last part, he tries to hide his nervousness then. He is not sure if he is successful at doing so, and yet when he looks at the man he finds that the man is staring at the paper before them not him. Benjen swallows nervously and then responds. "To the throne, and in thanks to Winterfell for use of the canal, that is what Lord Eddard means I think."

Harlaw is looking at the paper and responds. "Well he has made it very vague as to what he means here. That could mean anything, do homage."

Dammit Ned, why did you have to leave it so vague, now he's going to start asking questions. Benjen internally laments, schooling his face into a mask, he turns his attention to Lord Harlaw and says. "It could do, and yet for that you must forgive my brother, my lord. I am sure that he merely assumed you would know he meant to the throne. If you were to take that as its meaning then I am sure that there should be no qualms."

Harlaw nods then. "Very well, I have just one more question."

"And what is that question my lord?" Benjen asks.

"What provisions has Stark made for all of this should Balon begin to act out. My Goodbrother is not known for his common sense, indeed some could argue that he was not born with it. He might seek to attack the canal, how is Lord Stark planning to protect it." Harlaw asks.

Benjen considers this, he thinks through all that his brother had told him, considers it down to the last, and then says. "There will be a fleet of ships protecting the canal at all times. My brother is investing in the ships, and has commissioned them to be built, on both the eastern and western shores of the north, and especially near the canal itself. That is why in the agreement it states you will be given a banner to fly alongside your own when coming to trade."

Harlaw considers this. "That sounds reasonable."

Benjen breathes a sigh of relief then, looking at Lord Harlaw he asks. "So you are willing to sign the agreement? You have no further questions?"

"Just the one." Harlaw responds. "You are married yes?"

"I am my lord." Benjen responds cautiously.

"How would you feel about a betrothal between your firstborn child and my grandchild?" Harlaw asks.

"I would need to speak with my wife." Benjen responds.

"Very well, then I am happy to sign this agreement." Harlaw says, he puts his quill to the paper and signs it, and then Benjen signs it. They shake hands, and Benjen feels a deep sense of relief.


5th Month of 286 A.C. Lys

King Rhaegar I Targaryen

It was grating, this waiting, the constant waiting, not knowing whether or not he would succeed. He had never truly been good at waiting, and it was beginning to fray his nerves. He did not know what had taken them so long, where in the name of the seven could his mother, Viserys and the little girl who was his sister have gotten to? That his men had found Rhaenys had been a relief and he'd found himself greatly calmed by that, but now there was the other worry, how had they been able to find his daughter but not his mother or siblings? Gods, he was not good at this, he had never been good at this. Not for the first time he found himself wondering if he had made a terrible mistake all those years ago, and then he shook his head. He could not think like that, there would be no hope for him and her if he thought like that.

Lyanna, gods, that was another thing he was not sure how to handle. With Elia, well he had been a very bad husband to Elia, he could see that now. He had barely spoken to her in the first few months, only when he needed children had he come to see her, and gods, he felt awful about that. And yet Elia was dead now, along with Aegon, only Rhaenys was left of her, and he found himself clinging to her all the more because of that. Things with Lyanna had been strained, he did not know how to approach things, they had agreed somewhat to cool things off for the time being, but gods he did not know why it had to be so hard. What they had had in the beginning had been so good, where had it gone wrong? He refused to believe it had gone wrong, that was why he was here now, looking at his wife holding their son, Jaehaerys, or Jon as Lyanna called him, he was three years old, walking and talking, he was sweet, such a sweet child, and Rhaenys was listening to her talk. He coughs slightly, and his wife falls silent.

He looks at his wife and asks. "Might I speak with you Lyanna?"

His wife puts down their son, and his son totters over to the books stacked against the walls. "What do you want to speak about?" she asks.

"In private, away from the children." Rhaegar says.

His wife looks at him for a long time then, and then says. "Very well." she stands and walks with him turning briefly to say to the children. "I shall be back shortly, I just need to speak with your father. Rhaenys keep an eye on your brother." His daughter nods, and Lyanna takes his offered arm and walks with him out of the room, Ser Jaime remains guard outside the room where the children are.

Rhaegar feels his heart begin to quickening then. He takes a deep breath as they enter their own chambers, and as his wife sits down on the bed, he looks at her and says. "I am sorry Lyanna."

His wife looks surprised then. "Sorry? Whatever for?"

Rhaegar sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "I am sorry for the way I have acted toward you these past few moons. It was not right of me, and I know I was wrong to behave as such."

His wife considers this then and asks. "What made you come to this realisation?"

Rhaegar runs a hand through his hair once more and responds. "Elia." he hesitates when he sees Lyanna's reaction, but knowing he has to go on for it to make sense, he does. "I treated her like dirt, I see that now. And my marriage suffered for it. I do not want the same thing to happen here. Lyanna, I…." he pauses then unsure of how to continue, and struggling to find the right words, looks at his wife, and sees the things he found so beautiful in her before. "I love you. Truly I do, and I know it might not always seem like it, but I do, and I do not want to push you away. Not like I did with Elia."

His wife looks at him then and asks. "And what about our son. Is he Jon or is he Jaehaerys, what is he?"

Rhaegar swallows then. "I… I think he should be called Jon in private and Jaehaerys in public. He is our son, but he must represent the dynasty as much as he does us. Can you see where I am coming from?"

He braces himself for her rebuttal, but is instead surprised when she says. "I quite agree. I think he should be named Jaehaerys in public, when he is named Prince of Dragonstone he should be named as Prince Jaehaerys. It is important after all that our supporters see him as a prince of the blood, they will not if he is called Jon."

He looks at her surprised. "I…I know. I am surprised. What brought this change?"

His wife stands then, and walks toward him her hand resting on his cheek. "I have no wish to continue arguing with you Rhaegar. And I am not such a child anymore that I cannot see the benefits of him bearing a Targaryen name. I wish for him to know his heritage, both sides of it. What better way for him to have that then his two names." His wife pauses then and then whispers. "After all the Conqueror had two names, you, yourself told me that."

Rhaegar laughs softly. "Is that what our son is now then? The conqueror come again?"

"Well, his father most certainly is." his wife responds leaning up to kiss him.

He kisses her back, and soon they are deepening the kiss, but before he can fully enjoy the feeling of her against him, there is a knock on the door, and they pull apart. He looks round to see Ser Arthur there. "What is it?" he asks.

The Sword of the Morning looks at him and then at Lyanna, and then quickly says. "There has been word from Oswell, it would appear that there has been some problem finding the Queen Dowager and her children."

"Yes I know that. That's why I sent him out to find out what the problem was." Rhaegar snaps, Lyanna takes hold of his hand then and squeezes.

"No, you misunderstand me Your Grace. Oswell has found out the main reason for this problem." Ser Arthur responds. "It seems that there is someone else who is interested in them."

"Who? Who else is interested in them?" Rhaegar asks though he has a vague idea who might be.

The knight pauses then, looking as if he were about to deliver some severely bad news. "First, I must offer my condolences Your Grace. The word we received of your mother, Queen Rhaella's survival was incorrect, she died long ago, but her handmaidens and half-sisters saw to it that Prince Viserys and your sister Princess Daenerys were safe and secure in Braavos until Ser Willam died, following that, well they disappeared."

Rhaegar feels as if he has been hit by a rock, his mother dead? No that can't be right, Lyanna is there by his side now looking up at him concerned. He looks at Arthur and asks. "And? What more is there?"

"Oswell managed after great effort to find where the trail of the Prince and Princess and their helpers went cold. It went cold near Norvos, and it seems from there, there have been several near sightings of them, and some close calls." Arthur says.

"Close calls? What do you mean?" Rhaegar asks, his grip on Lyanna's hand tightening.

"The usurper has been sending his own men after them. Using the same hints that we have been to try and find them. And yet slowly but surely they have been missed. I think there is more to it than the usurper might think, or even Oswell thinks. I think the Dornish are getting involved." Arthur says.

"Why would they get involved with Prince Viserys?" Lyanna asks.

"Because they could not find Rhaenys, and I know Oberyn, he will not stop until he has gotten revenge for Elia." Rhaegar responds.

"Then why not send word to him and ask for his assistance?" Lyanna asks.

Rhaegar looks at his wife and responds. "Because, Oberyn would more than likely want to have me killed rather than aid me. And furthermore, because Doran is too cautious and clever to truly trust. No, we must wait and see what they do." he looks at Arthur, and then says. "But judging by your expression that is not the only thing you have."

Arthur looks at him with a sad expression on his face. "Oswell had some troubling news. It seems that the Cheesemonger Illyrio Mopatis has begun making moves to speak with the rulers of Norvos. Something about expanding their peace agreement."

Rhaegar curses then, and his wife looks at him and asks. "What is bad about that?"

"It means that they won't be looking to wage war through trade. And it might well mean relations with the Iron Throne are better than we thought. Gods dammit." Rhaegar responds.

Arthur nods. Rhaegar looks at him and asks. "When did Oswell say he'd be able to return?"

"Within the month my king." Arthur responds.

Rhaegar looks at his friend and says. "Very well, you may go for the night." his friend nods and then leaves, once his friend is gone, Rhaegar settles down on the bed with his wife and says. "Gods, this has just gotten so much more complicated."

His wife is sitting in his lap now, and her weight feels like a good one. "Did you think it would be any easier?"

He laughs then. "No, I did not. I just did not think the cheesemonger would capitulate as soon as he did. Usually the man and his ilk remain stubborn until the last. That is what my father always used to say." he grimaces as the mention of his father and then sighs as he feels his wife's arms wrap around him.

"Well, I know Ned will be doing his best to make thing easier. He managed to get the trade agreement with the Harlaws and their allies. And soon enough there will be word from Jon, I am sure." his wife responds.

Rhaegar groans then. "Gods, I had forgotten about him. No doubt the man is going to try something or the other. He has not yet forgiven me for the last time we spoke."

His wife kisses him then and the pulls back to look at him. "I am sure he will, after all, who could refuse you? I surely couldn't. And I think Jon is half in love with you."

Rhaegar looks at his wife surprised then. "What makes you say that my love?"

Lyanna laughs. "It is obvious, anyone with a brain could see it from the way he looks at you."

Rhaegar looks at her then and laughs with her. "I always thought there was something about the way he spoke to me, that was a bit odd. But then that raises the question, what do I do about it?"

His wife is straddling him now, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to think, as she grinds herself against him she groans as does he. Breathily she murmurs. "Do you think it will cause an issue?"

"I…I... do not know." he responds somewhat stiltedly

"Then wait and see what happens." his wife replies, and then conversation stops as their love reunites itself, through fire and heat.

Somewhere in the back of his mind though, Rhaegar remembers the desperation in Jon's voice, and he begins wondering if he can use that for his family's gain. He cannot allow there to be any weaknesses, not now. Not with things getting more complicated.